Our Opinion: A civics lesson

Erwin Jackson stirs up commission meeting

Wednesday's City Commission meeting featured some fireworks at the end of the public comment portion, with citizen Erwin Jackson suggesting that Commissioner Scott Maddox - whose residence has been in some dispute - ask his child where he actually lives, the commissioner firing back that "I will stand up to a bully," and Mayor John Marks telling Mr. Jackson to "shut up."

Ah, democracy at work.

Mr. Jackson is a gadfly, a tradition that goes back to Socrates, who saw his government as a sluggish horse that needed stinging. He paid for his trouble.

Locally, we have had gadflies before - Jim Fair and Eugene Danaher, to name two of the better known. These men were a never-ending headache to those in power. Politicians didn't appreciate the ravings of Mr. Fair or the many ethics complaints filed by Mr. Danaher. But sometimes in their "stinging" was truth.

Mr. Jackson carries on the tradition, with a pit bull's tenacity and a personality to match. He has pointed out questionable dealings and led the push for improved ethics oversight in city government.

But there are boundaries, and family is one of them. The spouses and children of public servants should not become part of the debate. It's inappropriate, and Mr. Jackson does not help his cause when he drags them into it.

Mr. Maddox had a right to be upset. But in vowing to stand up to a "bully" he must understand that it is he who holds the power. He shouldn't be challenging Mr. Jackson to run for office or mocking him for his previous defeat at the polls - Mr. Jackson has no responsibility as a citizen to put his views to a vote.

And as for the mayor, saying "shut up" will get a child sent to his room in many households. We can understand the temptation, and the frustration, in dealing with Mr. Jackson's ongoing tendency to cross the line of family and civility.

But there must be a dialogue between government officials and the people whose dollars keep that government functioning.

Mr. Jackson somehow must grasp that the officials he attacks are human beings, serving their community. And Mr. Maddox and Mr. Marks surely understand that nothing is more important than letting a citizen have a voice.